I've started to type up something to this affect several times, however, those of you who know me, know I prefer to let you all be adults and work out your own issues. Well, at this point, I can tell that you will not be able to work it out on your own. This has also become big enough that I cannot handle it through PMs because there are enough of you engaging in this that it would take me all night to address it individually. So, here we go....
The idea that tropheus should not be cross-bred is not something born on HFB. It's something that is historic and global. It is a respect for a beautiful species of fish that is so abstract in their color differences that they need no help from humans.
There are people who go collecting for specific fish in the interest of saving a species - they don't crossbreed. Just like there are people who have colonies of specific fish who are interesting in maintaining the genetic integrity of that species of fish - they don't crossbreed. Those who prefer to keep their colonies from cross-breeding are doing nothing more than respecting the way Tropheus have been brought to us from the wild. Most hobbyists want to keep a colony of Tropheus that is representative of how they are found in the wild. If this is not something you want to do, that's your choice and no one here can stop you. But the jabs at those who do, need to end.
Here at HFB, when it comes to Bettas, Phishphreek is 'elite'. Tropheus, Geoff_Tropheus is 'elite'. Cichlids in general, marauder_77868 is 'elite'. This is just to name a few. Being elite when discussing breeds of fish brings a level of expertise and knowledge to HFB that elevates all of us as members to a level of understanding that we are all able to benefit from. This is something we at HFB should celebrate, not attach negative connetations to. This is part of what makes HFB such a great place.
At the end of the day, you come to HFB to share knowledge and experience, and get advice, like the rest of us. If you choose to blatantly disregard the advice offered by those who are the 'elite', yes 'elite', in their knowledge and experience with Tropheus, that's fine. But there is absolutely no reason to rub anyone's face in it, nor is there any reason to refer to someone as an elitist, inferring that they are wrong for standing up for what they believe. I have been very fair and have been standing aside to let you all state your opinions, but I am personally offended by the 'elitist' name-calling (I am a proud Tropheus keeper). And posting threads for the sole purpose of getting a rise out of someone is technically considered a 'Flame'. We have rules against that kind of behavior here and at this point, I feel you have left me know choice but to start policing the site and locking these threads down. I prefer to allow you to use your own judgment, and have HEALTHY heated discussions, but if a thread is nothing more than a jab at those who have done nothing other than express a respect for Tropheus, then I will step in.
If anyone wants to discuss this more, please feel free to PM me.
The idea that tropheus should not be cross-bred is not something born on HFB. It's something that is historic and global. It is a respect for a beautiful species of fish that is so abstract in their color differences that they need no help from humans.
There are people who go collecting for specific fish in the interest of saving a species - they don't crossbreed. Just like there are people who have colonies of specific fish who are interesting in maintaining the genetic integrity of that species of fish - they don't crossbreed. Those who prefer to keep their colonies from cross-breeding are doing nothing more than respecting the way Tropheus have been brought to us from the wild. Most hobbyists want to keep a colony of Tropheus that is representative of how they are found in the wild. If this is not something you want to do, that's your choice and no one here can stop you. But the jabs at those who do, need to end.
Here at HFB, when it comes to Bettas, Phishphreek is 'elite'. Tropheus, Geoff_Tropheus is 'elite'. Cichlids in general, marauder_77868 is 'elite'. This is just to name a few. Being elite when discussing breeds of fish brings a level of expertise and knowledge to HFB that elevates all of us as members to a level of understanding that we are all able to benefit from. This is something we at HFB should celebrate, not attach negative connetations to. This is part of what makes HFB such a great place.
At the end of the day, you come to HFB to share knowledge and experience, and get advice, like the rest of us. If you choose to blatantly disregard the advice offered by those who are the 'elite', yes 'elite', in their knowledge and experience with Tropheus, that's fine. But there is absolutely no reason to rub anyone's face in it, nor is there any reason to refer to someone as an elitist, inferring that they are wrong for standing up for what they believe. I have been very fair and have been standing aside to let you all state your opinions, but I am personally offended by the 'elitist' name-calling (I am a proud Tropheus keeper). And posting threads for the sole purpose of getting a rise out of someone is technically considered a 'Flame'. We have rules against that kind of behavior here and at this point, I feel you have left me know choice but to start policing the site and locking these threads down. I prefer to allow you to use your own judgment, and have HEALTHY heated discussions, but if a thread is nothing more than a jab at those who have done nothing other than express a respect for Tropheus, then I will step in.
If anyone wants to discuss this more, please feel free to PM me.
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